Latest Sony e-readers battle it out with Kindle and iPad

The Sony devices use displays that are readable in direct sunlight

Sony has unveiled three e-reader devices as the company attempts to claw back market share from the increasingly popular Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad.

The Sony Reader Pocket Edition features a 5in full touch screen, and a lightweight design aimed at people who read regularly while on the move. It has 2GB of storage, enough for up to 1,200 books, and retails at $179 (£115).

The midrange Sony Reader Touch Edition, meanwhile, features a 6in full touch screen and also comes with 2GB of onboard storage. Dual expansion slots allow an additional 32GB and the ability to play MP3 and AAC audio files. It is available in black or red starting at $229 (£148).

Finally, the Sony Reader Daily Edition features a wireless connection to Sony's Reader store and provides a basic web browsing experience through a Wi-Fi connection.

The 7in screen makes it the largest of the new products, and the onboard storage mirrors that of the Touch Edition. The Reader Daily will be available in silver in November costing $299 (£193) in the US.

Sony claims to have made a number of improvements to the Reader range. The devices use E Ink Pearl paper-like displays that are readable in direct sunlight, according to the firm.

Other features include contrast and brightness controls, and automatic multiple page creation making documents easier to read on a smaller screen, Sony said.

The option to create a personalised standby screen using the owner's photos is also available, and a 'collections' function allows people to group together their favourite reads. Users will also be able to look up words and phrases in the built-in New Oxford American Dictionary and Oxford Dictionary of English.

Sony has also announced an improved Reader Store, as well as a set of applications for iPhone and the Android Market to bring the Reader experience to multiple portable devices.

"The success of our previous line of Readers illustrates book lovers' demand for feature choices and full touch screens on their digital reading devices," said Phil Lubell, vice president of digital reading at Sony Electronics.

"Today, we're answering their call by providing an entire line of stylish, full touch-screen devices with a variety of features and price points."

The Reader Pocket and Touch Editions will be available in the UK from 17 September from Sony Centres, Sony.co.uk, Waterstone's, WH Smith and other high street retailers. Sony told V3.co.uk that prices have yet to be finalised.